lr64
Well-Known Member
If it was me, I'd start by melting wax or paraffin into the,wood and on the end of the dowel. Or use grease. Or oil. I wouldn't be surprised if cooking oil, lard or butter worked, though in that case your wood might eventually get rancid. ;-)
If that didn't work, I might try drilling an appropriately sized hole in some thick, slippery plastic I found that someone was throwing out
Or I might look at my collection of brass tubing. I might jam a short piece of appropriate size on the end of the dowel and glue the next size up in the piece of wood. K&S brass tubing comes in some sizes that fit very nicely. Maybe with something rubbery to allow slight misalignment.
As far as bearings, there are some Hillman bronze bearings on the Lowes web site. I imagine the web site will tell you if they're in stock and even the aisle and bay.
In normal hardware stores, you can usually find bearings, bushings, etc. in the section with all the little drawers that slide out with thin boxes on them. And they'd be easier to find in an old style hardware store than in most home centers.
If you don't mind paying several more bucks, McMaster.com has more bearings than you can shake a stick at. If you live in an industrial area, there may be a store that specializes in bearings. There was a place within walking distance of my house that specialised in bearings.
If that didn't work, I might try drilling an appropriately sized hole in some thick, slippery plastic I found that someone was throwing out
Or I might look at my collection of brass tubing. I might jam a short piece of appropriate size on the end of the dowel and glue the next size up in the piece of wood. K&S brass tubing comes in some sizes that fit very nicely. Maybe with something rubbery to allow slight misalignment.
As far as bearings, there are some Hillman bronze bearings on the Lowes web site. I imagine the web site will tell you if they're in stock and even the aisle and bay.
In normal hardware stores, you can usually find bearings, bushings, etc. in the section with all the little drawers that slide out with thin boxes on them. And they'd be easier to find in an old style hardware store than in most home centers.
If you don't mind paying several more bucks, McMaster.com has more bearings than you can shake a stick at. If you live in an industrial area, there may be a store that specializes in bearings. There was a place within walking distance of my house that specialised in bearings.
